Tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function

ABSTRACT

A tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function includes a lower casing for protecting a tablet computer; an upper cover rotatably connected to the lower casing for protecting the screen of the tablet computer from damage; the lower casing being formed with a plurality of sections so that the upper cover can be folded along weak connection areas between different sections; the weak connection area forming as first folding lines which are not parallel to one another; wherein the upper cover is used as a cover and a supporter; the upper cover rotates along the lower casing; the lower casing is folded along the foldable lines so as to be formed as a supporter of the lower casing for supporting the tablet computer therein. Furthermore, the housing further has folding lines which are parallel to one another and transversally pass through a surface of the upper cover.

The present invention is a continuation in part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/186,472 which is assigned to the applicant of the present invention and therefore, the contents of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/186,472 is incorporated into the present invention as a part of the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tablet computers, and in particular to a tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function, which provides an upper cover being used as both a cover and a supporter so that a tablet computer packing therein can be well protected and can be supported as any desired orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flat computers are a main trend in application of computers. The percentage of flat computers over the computers is increased gradually. iPad Smart Cover is a kind of cover for protecting the screen of the iPad. The backside of the iPad is not covered by the iPad Smart Cover. However in many applications of the iPad, the tablet computer is needed to stand at a desired orientation for displaying. Generally, the user finds a supporter to support the tablet computer or take it at hand. However this is inconvenient for users. Although the Smart cover has the function of supporting an iPad to stand, the slopes of the iPad on the table are finite and the supporting function of the Smart cover is short and thus it is unsteadily.

Furthermore, if the iPad is not used, it is necessary to receive the iPad and other documents used with the iPad. As a result, the user must prepare another bag for receiving the iPad and others. This is inconvenient for the user.

Thus, there is an eager demand for a novel design which can resolve the prior art defects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function, wherein the present invention is not only used for supporting a tablet computer, but also it can be used to support the computer in different orientation. Thus, the user is not necessary to prepare another supporter. Therefore, the functions of the housing for tablet computer is enhanced and the user will feel convenient as he (or she) carries the computer.

A tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function includes a lower casing for protecting a tablet computer; an upper cover rotatably connected to the lower casing for protecting the screen of the tablet computer from damage; the lower casing being formed with a plurality of sections so that the upper cover can be folded along weak connection areas between different sections; the weak connection area forming as first folding lines which are not parallel to one another; wherein the upper cover is used as a cover and a supporter; the upper cover rotates along the lower casing; the lower casing is folded along the foldable lines so as to be formed as a supporter of the lower casing for supporting the tablet computer therein. Furthermore, the housing further has folding lines which are parallel to one another and transversally pass through a surface of the upper cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(A) shows a perspective view about the first folding traces in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1(B) shows the perspective view about the second folding traces in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows that a tablet computer is placed into the casing.

FIG. 3 shows that according to the present invention, the upper cover covers the lower casing.

FIG. 4 shows the application of the first traces in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows another application of the first traces in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6(A) shows a perspective view about the second folding traces in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6(B) shows the perspective view about the second folding traces in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7(A) shows the application of the first traces in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7(B) shows another application of the first traces in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the application of the third traces in the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be provided in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

The present invention will be described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

A lower casing 10 serves for protecting a flat computer. A periphery of the lower casing 10 is formed with a frame 11 for enclosing a tablet computer completely so as to isolate damages from external sources, powders, evaporations, and damage from collision. The frame 11 and lower casing 10 are formed with a plurality of holes, one hole 14 serves for exposing a USB slot, one hole 12 for sound transmission, and other holes 13 for heat dissipation and other functions.

FIG. 2 shows that a tablet computer 300 is placed on the lower casing 10. The lower casing 100 serves to enclose the tablet computer.

An upper cover 20 is pivotally connected to the lower casing 10 for protecting the screen of the tablet computer from damage. The lower casing 20 is formed with at least one foldable line 21. The number of the foldable lines is designed as desired. Furthermore, in the present invention, the upper cover 20 can be attached to the lower casing 10 by magnets embedded in the lower casing 10 or in the upper cover 20.

An upper cover 20 includes two kinds of folding traces. For the first kind of folding traces as illustrated in FIG. 1(A), the upper cover 20 is formed by three triangular sections A, B and C at an upper side and two oblong sections D and E at a lower side thereof. These sections are connected flexibly so that the adjacent triangular sections are foldable to one another. The three triangular sections A, B and C include two approximately right triangles A and C clamping an approximately isosceles triangle B. A bottom of each right triangle A and C is adjacent to a corresponding oblong sections D and E. The areas between the different sections of the support plate 20 have weak structures so that they are folded to one another.

The second folding traces are formed by three lines F, G, and H which transversally pass through the surface of the upper cover 20 and thus pass through the sections A, B, C, D and E.

FIG. 3 shows that the upper cover 20 can cover upon the lower casing 10 for receiving a tablet computer therein.

The present invention provides two ways for folding the different sections on the upper cover 10. FIG. 4 shows the first folding way, in that the two triangles A and C are folded backwards and the two oblongs D an E are overlapped to one another so that the upper cover 20 is formed as a steadily seat.

FIG. 5 shows the second folding way with respect to FIG. 1(B), the upper cover 2 is folded along the folding lines F, G, and H so as to formed as a triangle seat and then the seat is adhered to the lower casing 10 so as to support a table computer thereupon.

The two kinds of folding traces cause that the upper cover 20 can be folded along different folding lines so as to present different folding forms for supporting a table computer in different orientation.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show the second embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the second embodiment of the present invention comprises the following elements. In this embodiment, all elements indicated with the same numerals as those shown in the first embodiment having the same function and effect and thus the detail of this the present invention will not be described herein.

However referring to FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), in this embodiment, the oblong section D is divided into two triangles N, O and the oblong section E is divided into two triangles L and N. The connection areas between the triangles L, M, N and O are connected by weaker structures which are weaker than that of the triangle sections.

FIG. 7(A) shows the first folding way of the present invention based on the first folding traces of the present invention. FIG. 7(B) shows the second folding way of the present invention based on the first folding traces of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the third folding way of the present invention based on the second folding traced of the present invention.

However the orientation of the lower casing 10 and the upper cover 20 can be turned through 90 degrees so that the computer supported thereon is located upright. Furthermore, other orientation is still achieved by arranging the orientation of the present invention to suit the requirement of users.

Advantages of the present invention are that the present invention is not only used for supporting a tablet computer, but also it can be used to support the computer in different orientation. Thus, the user is not necessary to prepare another supporter. Therefore, the functions of the casing for tablet computer are enhanced and the user will feel convenient as he (or she) carries the computer.

The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function, comprising: a lower casing (10) for protecting a tablet computer; an upper cover (20) rotatably connected to the lower casing for protecting a screen of the tablet computer from damage; the upper cover being formed with a plurality of sections so that the upper cover can be folded along weak connection areas between different sections; the weak connection areas forming as first folding lines which are not parallel to one another; wherein the foldable lines are formed by a following way: a foldable line (H) approximately parallel to the lower side of the upper cover (20) passes through a point (P) which is located near a lower side of the upper cover (20); then two foldable lines (Q and R) extend from the point (P) to two upper corners of an upper side of the upper cover (20) so as to divide the upper cover into three triangular sections (A, B and C); another foldable lines (V) extend downwards from the point (P) to the lower side of the upper cover to divide a lower portion of the upper cover (20) into two oblong sections (D and E); these sections are connected flexibly so that the adjacent sections are foldable with respective to one another; the three triangular sections (A, B and C) include two approximately right triangles (A and C) clamping an approximately isosceles triangle (B); a bottom side of each right triangle (A and C) is adjacent to a corresponding oblong sections (E and D); and the areas between the different sections of the upper cover have weak structures so that they are folded to one another. wherein the upper cover is used as a cover and a supporter; the upper cover rotates along the lower casing; the lower casing is folded along the foldable lines so as to be formed as a supporter of the lower casing for supporting the tablet computer therein.
 2. The tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function as claimed in claim 1, further comprising second folding lines (F) and (G) which are parallel to one another and transversally pass through a surface of the upper cover so as to intersect with the first folding lines 3-5. (canceled)
 6. The tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the oblong sections is divided into two triangles; and the connection areas between the triangles (L, M, N and O) are connected by weaker structures which are weaker than the triangles of the oblong sections.
 7. The tablet computer receiving housing with supporting function as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the oblong sections is divided into two triangles; and the connection areas between the triangles (L, M, N and O) are connected by weaker structures which are weaker than that of the triangles of the oblong sections triangle sections.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The cover for packaging and supporting a tablet computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame and lower casing are formed with a plurality of holes, one hole serves for receiving a USB plug slot, one hole for sound transmission, and other holes for heat dissipation.
 10. (canceled) 